Marubeni donates $1.3M to the rebuilding of the Walker’s Place of Safety

Seiji Kawamura (left), chairman, Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS), prepares to sign a cheque for $1.3 million to aid in the rebuilding process for the Walker's Place of Safety, which was destroyed by fire earlier this year. Sharing in the moment are: (from second left): Rosalee Gage-Grey, CEO, Child Development Agency; Floyd Green, state mnister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information; and Kengo Aoki, JPS board director.

Marubeni Corporation, one of the Jamaica Public Service's (JPS) shareholders, has donated $1.3 million to the rebuilding of the Walker's Place of Safety, which was destroyed by fire earlier this year. The fire, which claimed the lives of two children and left 34 of the 36 wards displaced, is a tragic event which moved Seiji Kawamura, president and CEO, Marubeni Caribbean Power, and chairman of JPS to take action and to help the children of the home.

The JPS chairman, along with Kengo Aoki, JPS board member, visited the site of the destroyed building after handing over the cheque.

During discussions which ensued at the Child Development Agency in downtown Kingston, Kawamura expressed his sorrow at the tragedy and his commitment to national development. "I was deeply saddened upon hearing the account of what happened at the home and I felt compelled to contribute in some way. Our commitment as investors is to help in nation building and improving the quality of life for Jamaicans, especially the children," he said.

The Walker's Place of Safety served as a transitional residence for children, providing food and shelter, along with access to educational services and health care. As a result of the fire, the children are being housed at several other locations in the Corporate Area. The Child Protection and Family Services Agency is presently coordinating the recovery efforts for the home and has plans to start rebuilding the facility this year.